North Carolina State Prisons

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) manages the state prison system. This department oversees the administration of adult corrections, including state prisons, and the supervision of offenders in the community.

The system’s primary objective is to enhance public safety through the secure confinement of inmates, effective rehabilitation programs, and successful reintegration of offenders into society.

North Carolina’s Incarceration Rate

As of recent reports, North Carolina has an incarceration rate of approximately 340 per 100,000 people. This rate includes individuals in state prisons, local jails, federal prisons, and those held in other types of facilities.

This rate is below the national average in the United States, which tends to hover around 450 per 100,000 people.

How To Locate A Prisoner

To locate a prisoner within the North Carolina state prison system, you can use the offender search tool provided by the NCDPS. This tool is accessible online at the NCDPS Offender Public Information.

Users can search by the offender’s name or offender number to find information on their current location, incarceration details, and projected release date.

Family Visitation Rules

Family visitation in North Carolina state prisons is governed by specific rules designed to maintain security while allowing inmates to maintain ties with their families. Visitation rules may vary slightly by facility, but generally include:

• Pre-registration and approval of visitors.
• Specific visiting hours and days, depending on the facility and the inmate’s security level.
• Limits on the number of visitors per session.
• Visitor dress code.
• Strict limits on what the visitor can bring in with them while visiting a prisoner.

For more information about visitation rules and policy, visit the NCDPS website or contact the specific prison facility directly.

Classification of Prison Security Levels

North Carolina prisons are classified into various security levels:

• Minimum Security (I, II, and III): These facilities have dormitory housing, a lower staff-to-inmate ratio, and limited perimeter security.
• Medium Security: Inmates are housed in cells; the facilities have electronic security systems and perimeter fences.
• Close Security: Facilities have a high staff-to-inmate ratio, cells, and stringent security measures.
• Maximum Security: These house the most serious offenders with individual cells, strict controls, and extensive security measures.

Pros and Cons of the North Carolina Prison System

PROS

• Programs for Rehabilitation: NCDPS offers various educational, vocational, and rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism.
• Below Average Incarceration Rate: Compared to national averages, North Carolina has a relatively lower incarceration rate.

CONS

• Overcrowding: Some facilities still face issues with overcrowding, which can affect inmates’ living conditions and rehabilitation opportunities.
• Staffing Shortages: There have been reports of staffing shortages, which can lead to security issues and less effective supervision of inmates.

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Rehabilitative and Educational Programs

The North Carolina state prison system claims to emphasize rehabilitation. Some of their programs include:

• Educational Programs: Many facilities offer primary education, GED preparation, and sometimes post-secondary courses. Education is considered a cornerstone of the system’s rehabilitative efforts.
• Vocational Training: Inmates have opportunities to learn trades such as carpentry, automotive repair, technology, and culinary arts. These programs are intended to provide marketable skills to help them find employment upon release.
• Substance Abuse Treatment: Recognizing that many inmates struggle with addiction, the NCDPS provides various substance abuse treatment programs, including counseling and 12-step programs.
• Mental Health Services: Comprehensive mental health services are available, including assessment, counseling, and treatment programs for inmates suffering from mental health issues.
• Religious and Spiritual Support: Facilities often provide access to religious services and spiritual guidance through chaplains and volunteer groups from various faith backgrounds.

Challenges Facing the System

Despite efforts, the North Carolina prison system still faces several significant challenges, which include:

• Overcrowding: Although the incarceration rate is below the national average, some facilities are still overcrowded, which strains resources, affects the living conditions of inmates, and complicates management efforts.
• Staffing Shortages: North Carolina has experienced difficulties recruiting and retaining correctional officers. This shortage can lead to increased overtime for existing staff, higher stress levels, and potentially decreased facility security.
• Healthcare Services: Providing adequate healthcare to a large, aging inmate population is a persistent challenge. Chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and the need for intensive medical care can complicate the delivery of healthcare services within the correctional setting.
• Aging Infrastructure: Many of the state’s prison facilities are aging and require significant maintenance or upgrading to meet current safety and efficiency standards.

For further information and updates, visit the official North Carolina Department of Public Safety website.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE PRISONS:

Albemarle Correctional Institution

Albemarle Correctional Institution
44150 Airport Road
New London, NC 28127

Telephone: (704)-422-3036

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Albemarle Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 460
Badin, NC 28009

Alexander Correctional Institution

Alexander Correctional Institution
633 Old Landfill Road
Taylorsville, NC 28681

Telephone: (828)-632-1331

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Alexander Correctional Institution
633 Old Landfill Road
Taylorsville, NC 28681

Avery Mitchell Correctional Institution

Avery Mitchell Correctional Institution
600 Amity Park Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Telephone: (828)-765-0229

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Avery Mitchell Correctional Institution
600 Amity Park Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Bertie Correctional Institution

Bertie Correctional Institution
218 Cooper Hill Road
Windsor, NC 27983

Telephone: (252)-794-8600

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Bertie Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 129
Windsor, NC 27983

Brown Creek Correctional Institution

Brown Creek Correctional Institution
248 Prison Camp Road
Polkton, NC 28135

Telephone: (704)-694-2622

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Brown Creek Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 310
Polkton, NC 28135

Caldwell Correctional Center

Caldwell Correctional Center
480 Pleasant Hill Road
Lenoir, NC 28645

Telephone: (828)-726-2509

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Caldwell Correctional Center
480 Pleasant Hill Road
Lenoir, NC 28645

Caledonia Correctional Institution

Caledonia Correctional Institution
2787 Caledonia Drive
Tillery, NC 27887

Telephone: (252)-826-5621

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Caledonia Correctional Institution
Box 137
Tillery, NC 27887

Carteret Correctional Center

Carteret Correctional Center
1084 Orange Street
Newport, NC 28570

Telephone: (252)-223-5100

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Carteret Correctional Center
P.O. Box 220
Newport, NC 28570

Caswell Correctional Center

Caswell Correctional Center
444 County Home Road
Blanch, NC 27212

Telephone: (336)-694-4531

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Caswell Correctional Center
Box 217
Yanceyville, NC 27379

Catawba Correctional Center

Catawba Correctional Center
1347 Prison Camp Road
Newton, NC 28658

Telephone: (828)-466-5521

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Catawba Correctional Center
1347 Prison Camp Road
Newton, NC 28658

Central Prison

Central Prison
1300 Western Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27606

Telephone: (919)-733-0800

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Central Prison
1300 Western Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27606

Columbus Correctional Institution

Columbus Correctional Institution
1255 Prison Camp Road
Whiteville, NC 28472

Telephone: (910)-642-3285

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Columbus Correctional Institution
1255 Prison Camp Road
Whiteville, NC 28472

Craggy Correctional Center

Craggy Correctional Center
2992 Riverside Drive
Asheville, NC 28804

Telephone: (828)-645-5315

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Craggy Correctional Center
Box 8909
Asheville, NC 28814

Craven Correctional Institution

Craven Correctional Institution
600 Alligator Road
Vanceboro, NC 28586

Telephone: (252)-244-3337

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Craven Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 839
Vanceboro, NC 28586

Dan River Prison Work Farm

Dan River Prison Work Farm
981 Murray Road
Blanch, NC 27212

Telephone: (336)-694-1583

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Dan River Prison Work Farm
981 Murray Road
Blanch, NC 27212

Eastern Correctional Institution

Eastern Correctional Institution
2821 Hwy 903
Maury, NC 28554

Telephone: (252)-747-8101

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Eastern Correctional Institution
Box 215
Maury, NC 28554

Foothills Correctional Institution

Foothills Correctional Institution
5150 Western Avenue
Morganton, NC 28655

Telephone: (828)-438-5585

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Foothills Correctional Institution
5150 Western Avenue
Morganton, NC 28655

Forsyth Correctional Center

Forsyth Correctional Center
307 Craft Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27105

Telephone: (336)-896-7041

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Forsyth Correctional Center
307 Craft Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27105

Franklin Correctional Center

Franklin Correctional Center
5918 Hwy 39 South
Bunn, NC 27508

Telephone: (919)-496-6119

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Franklin Correctional Center
Box 155
Bunn, NC 27508

Gaston Correctional Center

Gaston Correctional Center
520 Justice Court
Dallas, NC 28034

Telephone: (704)-922-3861

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Gaston Correctional Center
520 Justice Court
Dallas, NC 28034

Greene Correctional Institution

Greene Correctional Institution
2699 Hwy 903
Maury, NC 28554

Telephone: (252)-747-3676

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Greene Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 39
Maury, NC 28554

Harnett Correctional Institution

Harnett Correctional Institution
1210 E. McNeil Street
Lillington, NC 27546

Telephone: (910)-893-2751

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Harnett Correctional Institution
Box 1569
Lillington, NC 27546

Hoke Correctional Institution

Hoke Correctional Institution
243 Old Hwy 211
Raeford, NC 28376

Telephone: (910)-944-7612

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Hoke Correctional Institution
243 Old Hwy 211
Raeford, NC 28376

Hyde Correctional Institution

Hyde Correctional Institution
620 Prison Road
Fairfield, NC 27826

Telephone: (252)-926-1810

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Hyde Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 278
Swan Quarter, NC 27885

Johnston Correctional Institution

Johnston Correctional Institution
2465 US 70 West
Smithfield, NC 27577

Telephone: (919)-934-8386

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Johnston Correctional Institution
2465 US 70 West
Smithfield, NC 27577

Lanesboro Correctional Institution

Lanesboro Correctional Institution
552 Prison Camp Road
Polkton, NC 28135

Telephone: (704)-695-1013

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Lanesboro Correctional Institution
PO Box 280
Polkton, NC 28135

Lincoln Correctional Center

Lincoln Correctional Center
464 Roper Drive
Lincolnton,  NC 28092

Telephone: (704)-735-0485

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Lincoln Correctional Center
464 Roper Drive
Lincolnton,  NC 28092

Lumberton Correctional Institution

Lumberton Correctional Institution
75 Legend Road
Lumberton, NC 28359

Telephone: (910)-618-5574

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Lumberton Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 1649
Lumberton, NC 28359-1649

Marion Correctional Institution

Marion Correctional Institution
355 Old Glenwood Road
Marion, NC 28752

Telephone: (828)-659-7810

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Marion Correctional Institution
Box 2405
Marion, NC 28752

Maury Correctional Institution

Maury Correctional Institution
2568 Moore Rouse Road
Hookerton, NC 28538

Telephone: (252)-747-1400

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Maury Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 506
Maury, NC 28554

Morrison Correctional Institution

Morrison Correctional Institution
1573 McDonald Church Road
Hoffman, NC 28347

Telephone: (910)-281-3161

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Morrison Correctional Institution
Box 169
Hoffman, NC 28347

Mountain View Correctional Institution

Mountain View Correctional Institution
545 Amity Park Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Telephone: (828)-766-2555

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Mountain View Correctional Institution
545 Amity Park Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Nash Correctional Institution

Nash Correctional Institution
2869 US 64 Alt
Nashville, NC 27856

Telephone: (252)-459-4455

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Nash Correctional Institution
PO Box 600
Nashville, NC 27856

Neuse Correctional Institution

Neuse Correctional Institution
701 Stevens Mill Road
Goldsboro, NC 27533

Telephone: (919)-731-2023

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Neuse Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 2087
Goldsboro, NC 27533-2087

New Hanover Correctional Center

New Hanover Correctional Center
330 Division Drive
Wilmington, NC 28402

Telephone: (910)-251-2666

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​New Hanover Correctional Center
Box 240
Wilmington, NC 28402

North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women

North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women
1034 Bragg Street
Raleigh, NC 27610

Telephone: (919)-733-4340

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women
4287 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4287

Odom Correctional Institution

Odom Correctional Institution
485 Odom Prison Road
Jackson, NC 27845

Telephone: (252)-534-5611

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Odom Correctional Institution
Post Office Box 36
Jackson, NC 27845-0036

Orange Correctional Center

Orange Correctional Center
2110 Clarence Walters Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Telephone: (919)-732-9301

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Orange Correctional Center
PO Box 1149
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Pamlico Correctional Institution

Pamlico Correctional Institution
601 North Third Street
Bayboro, NC 28515

Telephone: (252)-745-3074

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Pamlico Correctional Institution
601 North Third Street
Bayboro, NC 28515

Polk Correctional Institution

Polk Correctional Institution
1001 Veazey Road
Butner, NC 27509

Telephone: (919)-575-3070

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Polk Correctional Institution
Box 2500
Butner, NC 27509

Randolph Correctional Center

Randolph Correctional Center
2760 US Hwy 220 Bus
Asheboro, NC 27205

Telephone: (336)-625-2578

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Randolph Correctional Center
Box 4128
Asheboro, NC 27204

Rutherford Correctional Center

Rutherford Correctional Center
549 Ledbetter Road
Spindale, NC 28160

Telephone: (828)-286-4121

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Rutherford Correctional Center
Box 127
Spindale, NC 28160

Sampson Correctional Institution

Wake Correctional Center

Wake Correctional Center
1000 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610

Telephone: (919)-733-7988

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Wake Correctional Center
1000 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610

Warren Correctional Institution

Warren Correctional Institution
379 Collins Road
Manson, NC 27553

Telephone: (252)-456-3400

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Warren Correctional Institution
Box 728
Norlina, NC 27563

Wilkes Correctional Center

Wilkes Correctional Center
404 Statesville Road
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

Telephone: (336)-667-4533

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Wilkes Correctional Center
404 Statesville Road
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

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